Gear-shift mechanism



June 8 ,1926.

JF. RUNKLE GEAR 'SHIFT MECHANISM Filed Sept. 18, 1920 June 8v, 1926. 1,588,144

J. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHIFT MECHANI'SM Filed sept. 1s, 1920 `v sheets-sheet 2 June 8 J. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM Filed Sept. 18, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 @GM f?. RMLL.

June 8,1926. `1,515.8,144- l J. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM Filed sept. 1s, 1920- v sheets-sheet 4 June 8 1926. 1,588,144

.1. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 18, 1920 RMAMW June 8,1926. 1,588,144

J. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM Filed Sept. 18, 1920 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 June 8 1926. v 1,588,144

` I J. F. RUNKLE GEAR SHI FT MECHANI SM Filed Sept. 18, 1920 7 Sheets-Sh '7 M ano: n.411

Patented June 8, 1926.

UNITED STATES: PATENTKIO FFICE."

JOHN u; RUNKLE, or rrr'rsnunen, PENNSYLVANIA, AssrGNon 'ro `'rmi RUNKLE 4nuroivmrro GEAR n Y conPonATroN F DELAWARE.

SHIFT CORPORATION, ou' rr'r'rsnunen, PENNSYLVANIA, A

GEAR-SHIFT MEoHANIsivr.

l Application filed Septembenl, 1920. Serial 411,174.

My invention relates to gear shiftrmechanisms for use in automobiles, or other places where the like shifting of gears .is necessary, and is shown in thev accompanying drawings forming part of this specifica-- tion, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of the device asl applied to an automobile,`part of which is shown; l i v Figure'Zis a side elevation of the device showing also a part of a steering mechanism e for automobiles;

Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe device with the top cover removed showing certainparts of the interior of the device taken on 'line l III-III of Figure 7 Figure l is a plan view of theinterior on line IV-IV of Figure 7; y l t Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure t with the parts moved to the gear shift position;

nection of the clutchy lever with the gea-r shift mechanism;

Figure 7 is a cross section on line VII- VII of Figure t; A

Figure 8 is a cross section on line VIII-,f VIII of Figure 4l; l y

Figure 9 is a 'view in perspective of one of the shifting members;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of certain shifting cams;

Figure 11 shows ka modification in which the gear shifting mechanism is provided with adjusting means; y

Figure 12 is a cross section on line XII- XII of Figure 11. l i i Figure 13 is a perspective view in showing locking means;

Figure lil is a plan View of the combination member;

Figure 15y is a side elevation of the elements shown in Figure 14; c

Figure 1G is 'a plan view of the steering detail wheel showing the relation of the control l Figure (i is a detail view showing the cont is'thus applied and described merely for the purpose of illustrating the principles of op# eration and the details of construction of the device in yone application-thereof.

In a device `for shifting gears for the changing of speed ratio between the `power member anda driven member, simplicity, reliability of operation and ruggedness are essential to a satis-factory application ofthe same. 1

The simplicity of construction makes it possible for the device to be manufactured cheaply and alsojbyits simplicity prolongs the life of the device and'aids in reliability of operation onl account` of the relatively few parts employedgthe reliability of operation is essential because kkfailure tok op-A erate at a time of` eXciteme'ntor emergency would not only endanger the ymechanism it-l self but also'the machine to which it is ap-v plied as well asA the life ofthe occupant ef the machine; ruggedness of construct-ion is desirable because devices of this character are subjected to-unusual vibration and their'.

applicationis `of such a nature that delicacy of construction is` not ypossible if lsatisfaction is-'to be secured. y w

It is the object of my invention to secure all of the advantagesoutlined above in a device which ,can readily be applied in the Vspace vavailable on vmodern automobiles,

either when theautomobiles are constructed and the device applied in the factory, or in cases Awhere it is desired to apply the device to automobiles which have been sold to the consumer.

e' Referring to the drawings in Figure 1, 1

is an engine of any suitable construction,i2,

is the casing of the ordinary clutch, 3 lis the gear shift device and i is the propeller shaft actuated by the engine through the clutch and the transmission and `connected to the driving wheels of an automobilein any desired manner. Y

In Figure 2, 5 is a steering any'desired construction, comprising a stationary jacket 6, a steering tube 7, a stationary tube 8, a Agear setting tube 9, a throttle tube 10v and a spark control tube or rodll.y Thesteering mechanism may be of any desired construction and therefore the connection fof the steering'wheel withv the -wheels of the vehicley will not be described in detail. The throttle t'ube 10 has "i device of 'Whether or not any two adjacent cam members are lockedtogetherdepends upon the position of the members 46 and '47. `If the members 46 and 47 are inthe position shown in Figure 4, the cam members52, 53, 56 and 58 will move with the member` 39 if it is actuated, whereas the cam members 51,54,

and 57 will remain in the position shown in Figure 4. The gear which will be shifted depends upon the position of the members 46 and 47. The members 46'and47 are vactuated by the member 26 which has a cam slot v27 therein, which engages th-e projections 48. The member 26 is connected through mechanism already described with a lever 59 mounted on the steering post. Tft-he member 26 is movedso as to throw the projection 48 of the upper` member 47, as shown in Figure 5, to the left, the cam members 57 and 58 are locked together'by the member 46 and also the projection 50 on the member 47 locks the cam members 5l and 52 together' 57 and 58 engages a similar' surface on ainember 60. This member 60 being shown 1n detail in Figure 9. From., Figurev 9 it will be noted that the member 60 is pro- .vided with cam surfaces 6l and with three notches 62, 63 and 64 therein. There are two members 60 which are identical and therefore description of one will besufticient. This member is also provided with a slot 65, which wh-en in'position receives ay member 66 pivoted at 67 and thel free end 68 of which engages a gear shifting member 69, as shown in Figure 5. ,Therefore al movement of the member 60 to the left, as shown in Figure 5, by engagement withthe cam surface lproduced by the members 57 and 58, will cause the member 66 to be rotated in` a clockwise direction and therefore a movement kof the member 69 to the left will produc-e desired shifting of the gears. It will be noted that the other member 60 is not actuated becausethe lower member 46 remains in the neutral position and the cam members 53 and 56, while moved downwardly with the member 39 nevertheless pass the cam surface on the lower member 60 without actuating it in either direction. Attention is directed also to the fact that cam members 54 and 55 remain'in the position shown in Figure 4., the same being held in that position bythe projections 50 on the member 47. y l Y o Figure 7 shows one ofthe gear shift members 69 and the manner in which'that member is connectedwith the gears 70. j

In the modification shown in Figure "i7 ,the Vlink 34 is connected with the member 36 by aieXible connection 7l. This connection 7l may be of any desired construction, ysuch as for instance achain similaito the sprocket chain used on bicycles. 4 f l r g For the purpose ofv adjustment when applying this deviceto automobiles of diderent makes@ provide a means such-as thatshown in Figures 1 1 and y12for varying the position of the member 66. This is` accomplished by placing those members in an adjustable member l72. carried by the member 60-and a Set screw ,73, which when operated vmay move the member 72 either to theright or to the left, as shown in Figure l2. This adjustment isdesirable in adjusting the devicel to -gear shifts which vary somewhat and is aineans whereby the device `is made applicable to Va large number of automobiles which `vary slightly' `in the transmission construction'. 'Y

In allofl Athese devicesthe member39 is provided with projections y74 ext-ending downwardly.4 from the ilowerside as shown in `vF igure 13, which projections engage with vone of the notches 62, 63 or 64 in the member 60, so .as to'v hold the member 60 and lthe gearl shifting lever '66 in any position in rwhich that mechanism is placed. lower projection 74v in Figure 5 engages the slots in thelower member 60, whereas the The i upper-projection engages the notchesin the upper member.-6O.` lltl will be noted that these proj ections'male the engagements with 100 the notches when the member '39 returns to its normali-position shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figure 16 it is noted that the steering post carries the fuel control 75,- yon` which voperates the spark controlv lever 76 and the quadrant lever 77. I-have attached to this same ,post .a second quadrant 78 which has notches therein corresponding to reverse, first speed, neutralsecond speed and third speed, and the lever 59 is con.-

nected with a spring pin 79 which engagesl vlll) these notches when they lever 59 is ,movedV n round the quadrant78. There is also provided a lock 80 which locks the lever 59 to the quadrant78,'so that the transmission is in neutral position.

4vThe operation of *my` device is as, followsce- 1 Upon entering the-'car the lever 59 may I be moved to the reverse position.y This movement ofthe lever 59 rotates the` gear 16, which in turnrotates the gear 17 and the shaft 22 andmoves the members 24, 25 and 26 to a rposition which, will throw the upper member 47to the left as shown on Figure 5. Thiswill lockthe cam members 57 and 58 together. The clutch lever is thenA pushed forwardand due to the lost inotionbetween the screw/*N32` and link 34, the clutch= will befdisengagedbefore the screw -32 enga-gestire linll 34. After this engagement, however, ythe member ,39 will be moved downwardly "from the posiknionv shown in Figure l to that shown 1n Figure When the force is removed. from the` clutch f lever the ordinary clutch spring will rreturn the clutch to the engaged position and the spring ill Will 1return the member 89 to the position shown in Figure 4,-( However the gear shift member' 60 Will remain as shown in Figure 5 and the pin-74 Wi'l'l enter theA notch 62 and lock the gear in the reversel position. It being evident to the driver that his neXt shift Will be forward in (the first speed, the lever 59 will be moved to first"speedl-positionfat any time after the gear is thrown in reverse. This movement 'of the lever 59 tothe first' speed position through the same instrumentalities which have'al'ready been described', moves the memhers 46 and l? to the right, as shown in Figure 5, to a position Where the member 46 ivill loch the cam members 5l land 52 together and remove the lock between the members 57 and 58. VVheneventhe time arrives for shifting `from reverse to, first speed forward thev clutch Will be thrown out and the member 39 moved'dovvnvvard, Whereuponthe cam surface produced by the members 5l and 52 engages the cam surface 61? on the Amember'oO and throvvs that member to the right andivith it the gear shifting lever 66 which is so connected that this movementivil'l put the proper gears in mesh for the first speed forward. i

)lf at any time it is desired to return the gears to neutral position, .the lever ,59 Will be moved dto the neutral position, Whereupon -the member 26 by engagement with 4,he projections l8- Will move bothhthe tvvo members 46 and the tivo members 4C-7 to the position shown in Figure 4'. This movement Will'remove the lock between all ad- Ajacent cam members but since the member 60 is at that time in' itsv eXtreme right hand position, the cam member 58, which" in the neutral' is' locked to (the member 39, will engage'the cam surfaceon the `me'mber lCalandmove it to the left' to the position Sheva Fiaste 4- The 'other gear Shift p0 iliona ,are S miler ii'all respects to the @ses 'decrh l and the .operati as necessary t@ einen e .t @Se Shifts n ll be 'apparent from the description Aalready give hile l have desciibed my d l desire it were of illustrating one embodiment and `thereforel` 'am netto be limited tothe' eXact/details showmvbut myinvention yincludes all 'modiiicatio'ns and @equivalents which embody the principles set forth and l desire to be limited onlyl by the claims forming a part hereof. i

l claim:

l. ln an automotive vehicle, a clutch,

means for operating the clutch, a transmission including gears for affording a plurality of speeds forward and a reverse speed, mechanical means controlled by the clutch operating means for shifting the transmission gears,V said mechanical means comprising a plurality of tivo-part sliding cam members, there being one part of each cam for each shift position and one part for each gear for returning a shifted gear'to neutrall position,'means forming an opera-tive gear shift'- vingv connectionbetween said tivo-part cam members and the transmission gears, 'and meansl for operating vsaid camsA for `detern'iining the gears'to be shifted, substantially as described. A' y 2. in an automotive vehicle, a -,clutch, means for 'operating the clutch, a transmission device including gearsvaifording a plurality of speeds forward and a reverse speed,

mechanical means actuated by the clutch opjmeans for shift-ing said gears comprising a sliding two-part cam for each shift position, means forming an operative gear shifting cmnectionr between said two-part cam members and the transmission gears, means for selectively locking` the two parts of any cam together to 'determine which gearv shall be shifted and means for operating' said cams, substantially as described. 5

'14. in, af transmission device, a plurality of gears aifording a lplurality of speeds, means for As'hitiig `the' gears Comprising a' multipar-t cam dfor each 'shift position, lmeans'for locking the parts of any cam together to determine which gear sha-ll be shifted, means forming jan operative connection between said vI,ni'ilvtil-part cams andV the gears, anda member for inovingY y said ymultipart cams, substantially asdcsc'rib'ed. f

5. In a transmission device, a plurality of gears affording a pluralityofspeeds, means said multi-part cams and the gears, 'a sliding member for movingsaidy multi-part camsand means for locking the shifted' gear Y in shifted positiomsubstantially as' described.

6. 'In a transmission device, the combination of a source of power, a'plurality ,of

.gears for affording-a plurality of speeds,

means for connecting 'the gears tothe source offp'ower comprising a cam for each shift position and a cam for neutralizing each previously shifted gear before engaging another gear and a cani member for determining which gear shall connect with the lpower source locking'certa-in of said camstogether, and'means for operating said cammembers, and means operated by thecams for shifting thegears, substantially as described.

7.1-In` a transmission device the combination of a source of power, a clutch, a lever foroperating the clutch, a vplurality of gears for affording a plurality of speeds, means for connecting said gears to the said source comprising a cam for each shift position, and a cam for neutralizing each previously shifted gear before engaging another gear, a sliding cam control, means for determining which of said gears shall be connected to said source and. means actuated by the clutch lever for operating said cams, substantially as describe 'y 8. In a transmission device, the' combina,- tion of a source of power, a clutch, a plurality of gears for vaffording av plurality of speeds, means for shifting saidgearscomprising ya slidable member, membersiparallel,` with said slidable member having surfaces adapted to constitute cams, means for connecting certain of said parallel members to said slidable member, all lof said members being in the same plane, operative' connections between said parallel members and said gears, and means for determining which of saidparallel members shall be connected to said slidable member and means 'for sliding said slidable member dependent upon the position of said clutch, substantially as described. y

9. In a gear shift device, the combination of two gear shift members having cam snrfaces, each adapted to be moved to two positions, a member for actuating said gear shift members, two sets of'cam members on .each side of saidv actuating membenand symmetrically arranged, said sets each' comprising two members and means for locking any two yof said sets of cam members together and tosaid actuating member, substantially as described. v l0. Ina gearl shift device, the combina:- tio'n of twol gear shift members, each'adaptf ved tobe `moved vvto two positions, cam surfaces on said members, a member for actuating said gear vshift members, two sets of cam `members, on leach side of said actuating member and symmetrically-varranged, said sets each comprising two members, a

casing for`4 said parts, a selective member positioned in said casing, a camf locking member ladapted to be operated by said'seylective'member for locking one set of camv members together and lto said actuating member and means for 'controlling 4said yloclringmember,v substantially as described.

l1. In a transmission device, .thecombination of-two gear'shift members eachv havi ing azneutral and two gearfengagingapositions, cams for operating" the shift members to the different positions, means l.for ac-' tuating lthe cams kand means controlling the cams `to cause' an operated shift member rto move to vneutral position before another gear shift is effected, and means for simultaneously locking certain of said cams to and releasing `certain of said-'cams from the actuating member, substantially as de-y scribed."` j' l2. In a transmission devicejthe combinationrof two 'gearshi'ft members, each having al neutral and two gear engaging positions, an actuating member for said shift men'ihers, cams `for operatively connecting y said actuating `memberito'said gear shift'V members, said cams comprising fourmcm bers .adjacent said`lacti'iating member for; moving the shift members toneutrall positionv and al memberfadjacent each of said four members for moving sai-d shift membersv to the gear engaging positions and means forsimultaneously coupling and releasing certain ofsaid `members'and the actuating member, substantially as described.

18. In a transmission device, the combination of-two gear `Vshift members, each having a lneutralV andtw'o gear engaging positions, an 1 actuating member for said shift members, cams yfor operatively connecting said actuating member tosaid gea-r shift niember,'said cams comprising four members adjacentv said actuating member for moving the shift 'members to neutral position, and a vmember adjacent each" of sai@L four members and shorter ythan saidv members for moving said shift-members 'to the gear 'engaging'.positions and -means for si-y multaneously coupling and releasing certain of said members and the yactuating member, substantially as described.` i '14.' In atransm'ission device, the combina tionv of two gear shift members, eachl having a neutral `andtwo gea-r engagingl positions, an' actuating memberforv said shift members, cams for yoperatively :connecting saidactuatingmember to sai-d gear shift members,` said #cams comprising 'fourmemllO bers adjacent `said- -actuating member f for `moving the shift membersy to neutral posi- .seid shift Bestellers .te 'sitlon I eleans for t'ogetliei and to saidfaettiating member, substantially alsv a eflfs bfl.' midfslioitr A y este w;.ttes .gssr treating positions', and y"means for locking saidadme" "tli `,r and to. said. ae-

'ntially des'ribed. 16. n a vtrans dfi" ,A theeombistessi et s. este testet-seeth, having" a nutrlaid trvo'gear positions, anv actuating member for said sus mettere, este ser; operatively se es steel ,ett1st1e's member@ este gees. members, said teams eomprlslng tour members adj' aent s di ac't'ra'tingmember iiioti'ngv` the lsliiii't' A to neutral .I positioma m'mberadjaeent eaeh of said four members for movng'said'sliift-members to the gets essere@rptsiecnssees setting key for loliing `)two cani members to said aetiiati'ng" member,A substantially as .deserbel.l j L v ,17; In 'fa' trans f y siony devies, the eombination of tirol gearsh'ift membersl each `hav*- itis, e* hetttsl ,seetweseerf engaging' Pesitees; setettties te'eebetet ssel shift members', earns for operatvely eonneeting said" actuating member` to sa-id gear shift members, 'said Cams comprising or membersy adj'afoentA said actuating Vmember -Y:for moriing the shift niembersto neutral position, a member adjaeent e'aclro'f seid 'four members meting saidfshiftmembers to theseeteeselsee rzesteh's, settle flee-ties key; 'eeseeiee' ttsesvetse. Orestes i le ss'el actuating member ay lilejopening in said members soslfqlesgtwwf said bers to ySaid, actuating member, substantially as described., s p v v 18.-.111 s 4tie.elesmselen,.l de'vee,.the eems bination of rtwo gear' shiftn nemjbers,y ea'elo haring, s neet-eelA eetl' twee gesl", engaging Peerless.v erf s-etestesamembee ,fes setl shift members, vestes,A for; operatively sont. fleeting seid eetustns member, te seid geel Seite members, said @sms-@Comprising fom members., etlieeent; sit-id eetustllg member fet.reer1its,the shift members .te neutral pestieni, s ,.Ieemleelediseent. 'seele Aet ssel telit meesters 'fersmeves' seid v shift metet-` be'ts' teitheggeet-.engaging positions, 's liest.e ing key for loking tW`o cam members to restera said;V aetnatiiigf men i' bei", andmeans 9onl-v trolliiigj said oating key, substantially as dseribe'd; y. t l l n y 19. 11i a transmissiondevice, the eombine'ton of two gearfsliift members, each hath ing este sitesites.;

4 2,0% le e.gteeiiseslssletiidettes;'the eettleteetion of two' gearslilir't members, 'each having Y, eefttttel seflftiree'eseengagierte rest-y tions,y an aetuatingjmeniber for 'said sb/itt A s' netitr'fell eetl tite seeseiissfettte frestlens, s

an aettiapt-ing.` member-lvforgsaid sliiit niembesfg'eetes ietf -epelstvelyfeeeeeetlls said aetating member Ato sailvgear xsliiit memkreis7 said cams eomprising four members adjeeet-fsaid aetuating member for moi-.fing the .shift Ymembers to K:neutral positiomj a member adjacent each of said. four members for moving lsaid shift mmbersjto thefgear engaging positionsaufioating key for lockingwtfrv'o Hrearngmembers to said actuating member', means for Controlling vsaid ioating key, "saidfr'reans also locking the remaining tfwofof sa'idffor members in position, substantirlly 'describedI 'l 21'. In atragiismissioii devies, the Combina` tion ifa plurality of' gearsleaelr adapted agslieiitral j oosition, a A' sliding member vtor eiieeting said sliifts, a netrtralizing memberand an operative shift member for each gear 'and' rineans for Conneeting the neutralizing member'woif operative'gear and the 0peli'alti'vre member of the prospective operative gearto said slldingmember, andmeansjfor operating said sliding member, substsntials lr es. deselbeel i i i u 22. ln a transmission device', tljie combination of aplnrality'of gearseacli adapted vto behshiftedj to `Lan operative position and a,nentraldposition, a sliding ntiember for etfeeting s shifts@ yneutralizing member andv anmoperative shift member for each gearj means for Connecting the neutralizing member ogany operativegeary and the opera'- tiYe member ofjlthe prospective Aoperative gear to said sliding member, yso that'the operaties-ef fssdsneutrsltsns member will act llp'eint @filme prior to jsaideperatvelmembe., and ,messlatteQperetingsaid sliding member', Substantially iefssideserbed.,

23. In a'transmssion device including a to be shifted to an operative position )and plurality of transmission gears, the combination of a plurality of shiftable members, operating connections between said shiftable members and the gears, means for shifting said members from neutral position to operative position, said means comprising 'a plurality of sectional sliding cam members, meansy locking the sections of certain of said cam members' together to disengage any operative gear before moving a gear from neutral to operative position, and means for.

said gears to the various positions, members having cam surfaces for co-operating With said sliding member toeffect the saidlshlfts, means for selectively rendering saidv cam surfaced members operative to effect the de' sired shifts, and means for positively locking the gears in shifted position, substantially as described. f

25. In a transmission device, the combination ofpower transmissiongears, each movable between neutral and operative positions, gear-shifting elements for said gears for moving each of said gears to neutral or operlative position, a sliding cam member for operating said shifting elements, means selectively' and operatively connecting said shifting elements to said sliding member to move any operating gear to neutral position and subsequently move any of said power transmission gears to operative position, and means for positively locking a shifted gear in shifted position, substantially as described.

26. In a transmission device, the combination ofA a plurality of lshiftable elements, means for selectively controlling said elements, said means` comprising a slidable member, attachable members having cam surfaces thereon, and selective means for attaching said attachable members to said sliding member to select the element to be shifted, and means for actuating the sliding member, substantially as described.

y2'?. In a transmission device, the combina tion of a plurality of gears, a sliding member for shifting said gears from neutral to operative position and vice versa, a plurality of members having cam surfaces for each of said gears, selective means for attaching and detaching certain of said cam surfaced members to said slidable member tol neu` tralize all of said. gears and place a-selected gear in operative position, and meansV for tially as described.`

28. In a transmission device including transmission gears, the combination of two loperating said selecting member, substanshiftable members each adapted to be shifted i to two positions, operating connections between said members and the gears to .be

shifted, four yneutralizing members and four actuating members, a sliding member for operating said neutralizing and actuating members, means for locking three of said neutralizing and one of said actuating membersto said sliding member, and means for actuating 'the sliding member, substantially as described.

29. In a transmission device including transmission gears, the combination of-two shiftable members each adapted to be shifted to two positions, operative connections between said members and the gears to be shifted, four neutralizing members and four actuating members, a sliding member for operating the neutralizing and actuating members, andmeans for locking4 four of said members to said sliding member, substantially as described.

30. In a transmission device including transmission gears, the combination of two shiftable members each adapted to be shifted to two positions, operating connections be? tween said members and the gears to be shifted,four neutralizing members and four `actuating' members, a sliding member for operating the neutralizing and actuating members, and means for locking threev of said neutralizingmembers and any one of said actuating members to said sliding mem! ber. substantially as described.

`In testimony whereof I have hereunto yset my hand.

JOHN F. RUNKLE.v 

